summer cowboy

 

A member of the Texas Tech Ranch Horse Team watches the club's saddle-breaking demonstration in the horse pen at the Ranching Heritage Center.

 

Lubbock, Texas

4.9.2016

It's boots and chaps
It's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo
It's the ropes and the reins

                       --Garth Brooks

 

Ranching Heritage Center

Lubbock, Texas

4.9.2016

blacksmithing

 

Today was Ranch Day at the Ranching Heritage Center and after a rainy morning, hundreds of people wandered through the fourteen acres visiting the historic ranch structures and observing typical ranch activities.  The first structure erected at the RHC was this blacksmith's shop, which was moved from the Renderbrook-Spade Ranch.  Purchased by Isaac Renderbrook, ironically the manufacturer of barbed wire, the Spade Ranch consisted of 128,000 acres in Hale, Hockley and Lamb Counties.  The ranch name originated from the  spade-shaped brand recognizing the first herd's original owner J. F. "Spade" Evans.

 

Ranching Heritage Center

Lubbock, Texas

It's boots and chaps, it's cowboy hats
It's spurs and latigo, it's the ropes and the reins
And the joy and the pain and they call the thing rodeo.

Garth Brooks

Ranching Heritage Center
Lubbock, Texas
4.11.2015



stick shift

 

My phone and I went for a walk at the Ranching Heritage Center this morning. The purpose was two-fold:  exercise and practicing photography with my phone.  The result?  2.093 miles on the pedometer, some perspiration, a few inadvertent selfies, and this image of the old DeSoto pickup on display.  Brought back memories of my high school ride - 1959 green Chevy pickup with stick shift, but I had a radio!

 

National Ranching Heritage Center

Lubbock, Texas



chaparajos

 

The Spanish brought chaparajos to the Americas when colonists began establishing huge rancheros in Mexico and the southwestern areas that eventually became Texas, California and  New Mexico. Shortened to "chaps," the leather leggings fit over a rider's pants, protecting his legs from brush and helping him stay warm and dry when he was out looking for cattle in rough country.

 

Ranch Day at the Ranching Heritage Center

Lubbock, Texas

4.11.2015

fence sittin'

 

Cowboy Wisdom:  Don't squat with your spurs on.

 

Ranching Heritage Center

Texas Tech, Lubbock Texas

4.11.2015

three straws and a felt

 

Members of the Ranch Horse Team watch a fellow member introduce a two-year old colt to saddle and blanket as part of the horse taming demonstration on Ranch Day. Originally felt hats were intended for winter wear (protecting from moisture and cold) and straw for summer (protecting from heat and sun) which is logical.  An unwritten cowboy hat rule seems to indicate that felt is appropriate all year but straw is for warm weather. Other arbitrary rules include: "Felt is for dress, straw is for work" and "Straw only between Easter and Thanksgiving.  Who knew there are whole websites devoted to cowboy hat etiquette? 

Ranching Heritage Center
Texas Tech
Lubbock, Texas
4.11.2015

spur and cross

 

Today was Ranch Day at the Ranching Heritage Center -- one of the best held.  The Ranch Horse Team from Texas Tech provided some great photo ops!

 

Ranching Heritage Center

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas

old-fashioned toys

 

The Ranching Heritage Center offers a glimpse of a pioneer Christmas during the 36th annual Candlelight at the Ranch. Luminarias light the paths around the historic structures, where volunteers recreate holiday scenes of trimming trees with home-made decorations, playing traditional music and gathering around the campfire on a cold winter’s night.  This cowboy whittles toys just like boys and girls might have gotten more than 100 years ago.  I don't think people taking pictures with their iphones appreciated what living was like by candle or kerosene light!

 

Ranching Heritage Center

3121 4th Street

Lubbock, Texas

 

ironing drives me to drink too

 

Ranching Heritage Center

Lubbock, Texas

campfire biscuits

 

The purpose of Ranch Days at the Ranching Heritage Center is to demonstrate the western ways of life.  The Ranch Host bakes biscuits in a buried cast iron dutch oven covered with coals.

 

Ranching Heritage Center

Lubbock, Texas

4.20.2013

ranch hand

 

Ranch Days at the Ranching Heritage Center

Texas Tech University

Lubbock, Texas